President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the need for a clear and sustainable plan to control recurring floods, which have occurred twice during the year.
The President made these remarks today (14) during a discussion held at the Presidential Office with officials from the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Ministry of Finance. He instructed the officials to prioritize providing immediate relief to the affected people in Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam, and Kalutara, who have been impacted by adverse weather conditions. Following that, he urged them to proceed with compensating the damage to properties.
President Dissanayake informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance that in addition to the Rs. 50 million already allocated for disaster relief, more funds would be allocated if necessary to support those affected. He also instructed officials to look into the issues of those whose properties were not fully compensated during previous flood incidents earlier this year and ensure they receive appropriate compensation.
The discussion was attended by Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandaka Sanath Kumaranayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyyakontha, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management K.G. Dharmatilake, Director General of the Disaster Management Unit (Planning) W.W.S. Mangala, Director General of the National Building Research Organization Dr. Asiri Karunawardana, Director General of the Department of Meteorology A.K. Karunanayake, Senior Assistant Secretary of the National Disaster Relief Services Centre Namal Indika Liyanage, and Acting Director General of the Disaster Management Centre W.G.A.K. Tilakaratne.
